Causes
Learn about the events that led up to this significant war.
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About
About
After years of being governed by a distant king in England, the colonists grew tired of unfair taxes and having no say in how to rule their own towns and colonies. Not all colonists felt that way, however, and some stayed loyal to England. The idea that the colonies could form their own nation took hold and spread. There was only one way for that to happen, though - war.
Essential Questions
Essential Questions
How did the Revolutionary War begin?
What caused the colonists to want war?
What events were key in escalating the tension between Great Britain and the American colonies?
Choose a Focus
Choose a Focus
Use the Suggested Activity to learn about your chosen focus in a fun way. Or visit the Activity Library to pick another interactive activity.
Note: Britannica School, BrainPOP, and Kids Discover are provided by Prenda. Make sure you are logged in via Clever.
Use the Suggested Activity to learn about your chosen focus in a fun way. Or visit the Activity Library to pick another interactive activity.
Note: Britannica School, BrainPOP, and Kids Discover are provided by Prenda. Make sure you are logged in via Clever.
The Stamp Act 🔥
The Stamp Act 🔥
The colonists grew angry about all the taxes they paid to England. Then, the Stamp Act was passed, requiring a tax on all paper goods. For many, this was the final straw.Â
Essential questions:
What was Stamp Act?
Why did the colonists get so angry about the Stamp Act?
What happened after the Stamp Act was passed?
Suggested Activity: A Different Point of View
The Boston Tea Party 🔥
The Boston Tea Party 🔥
Most tea parties are quiet, calm events. This Tea Party was definitely not! The colonists were angry at the English King. To show him just how angry, they threw a whole bunch of tea into Boston Harbor.Â
Essential questions:
Why were the colonists so angry?
Why did they throw tea into the water?
What happened next?
Suggested Activity: Picture It!
Curricular Connections
Curricular Connections
Continue your learning by choosing one of these related activities.
Continue your learning by choosing one of these related activities.
Related Social Studies Topics
Timeline Challenge
Start a class timeline (or add to an existing timeline) showing important causes of America's Revolutionary War.
Socratic Discussion
Discuss: When is war justified?
Discuss: Is there ever a good reason to start a war?
Create
       (Not sure what to do? Write a news article about the Boston Tea Party!)
Science / STEM
Read about the science experiment George Washington conducted while he was waiting for the war to finally end.
Image Attributions
The Causes banner: Engrav'd Printed & Sold by Paul Revere Boston.The print was copied by Revere from a design by Henry Pelham for an engraving eventually published under the title "The Fruits of Arbitrary Power, or the Bloody Massacre," of which only two impressions could be located by Brigham. Revere's print appeared on or about March 28, 1770., Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsThe Stamp Act: Miscellaneous Items in High Demand, PPOC, Library of Congress, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsThe Boston Tea Party: Cornischong at lb.wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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